I'm sorry, what was wrong with B-Wings again?

Jousters.

The old idea was that Turrets beat Arcdodgers, Arcdodgers beat jousters, jousters beat turrets.

Then Autothrusters came along to let arcdodgers survive vs turrets, and Engine Upgrade let turrets gain just enough arcdodging to beat jousters and TLT is a turret with near jouster effectiveness.

So far jousters havnt receved an equivilant buff to handle their nemisi- arcdodgers. The closest we have is the underrated Hotshot Blaster, essentially Scum Z and Khilrazx only, that lets them get just enough turret to annoy arcdodgers.

Because Rock-Paper-Scissors isn't a fun game. The game wasn't fun in the Jouster/Turret/Arc-Dodger phase, because one side had a massive advantage before the ships hit the table. Autothrusters help level the playing field between Dodgers and Turrets, where previously Arc-Dodgers could basically cry and explode.

Jousters seem fine, but because they have no dirty tricks or special moves to make up for their Jousting Values, they really need good jousting values, more than any other ship. Which is where the X-Wing, the Kihraxz, and to a much lesser extent the B-Wing fail.

U seem to forget feedback array which is slightly better by not being a one use upgrade. But you are correct that it's a scum only fix.

B-wings are fine.

X-wings are solid.

Kithraxzes are... well, they're OK.

Jumpmasters are elite (faster, PS bidding) B-wings.

Y-wing TLTs overshadow all three, however, and that's the problem. Don't get me wrong, I think they absolutely have their place in the game - they're a hard counter to certain Fat Pancake style builds, can provide covering fire against aces, and are generally all-round useful.

The problem is, they're doing it at a points price and usability of efficiency that pushes the baseline jousters out a bit. I'd say we just want to fix TLT, but with x7 Defenders coming, well, we'll wait and see a bit. Could be a touch embarrasing if they have to fix all the 3-attack Agi 1 & 2 jousters in one go, though.

4x Blue Squadron, 4x FCS, 1x E2, 1x Jan Ors crew. 99 points.

Start feeding half dead ones Jan Ors evades. You have 99 points so you can hand the quad tilt player initiative so you can set up and barrel roll reactively.

Should do decently against Acewing also, after the first volley you can start focusing perpetually for TL + F shots.

I can't help but think the integrity of the coveted JBR7 Good Post acolade is damaged a little if you award it to yourself. Such is tyour noble and solitary duty as Good Post officiator: yours alone is the power to grant the Starfighter Sun Of Posting Quality but at the sacrifice of never yourself receiving it.

:'(

Wasn't that intended for Darkcloak?

Of course it was... my on point wonderful fellow Winger... YES!

Palpatine is that you?

B-wings are very versatile ships. Have we really tried out all the possibilities to beat an Y-wing with TLT?

I like TLT, but saying the B-wing is dead and buried is a gross over-statement.

Throw a HLC on it. Bring in Nunb with a Mangler cannon, Farlander with HLC and Opportunist.

Crew members in increasing quantities.

So many options and we just give in? To soon people, to soon. TLT is just the latest hype. B-wings stay forever.

B-Wings Forever.

Sung to the tune of Stone Dead Forever by Lemmie "B-Wing" Kilmister. May he forever rest in boobs and speed.

You think you blocked me with that pass

You think you screened me better boost out fast

I think I see you I got a shot

You're out there all alone

And your dial has turned to stone

Whatever happened to your Aces

B-Wings forever!

You took a long time

In the planning phase

And I caught your Y-Wing with my barrel roll

You better put those dice down

Autoblaster got you

You know your problems ain't exactly new

It's been like this since wave two

Now it's your turn to go

Whatever happened to your Ace

B-Wings forever, that's right!

(Bass solo)

You're a boost-wing wizard, a top gun fool

Sweet re-position lizard with the silver EU

You know you've never had it quite so good
And you didn't know that you even could
But your time has come today
Your Aces turn to clay
Whatever happened to your life
B-Wings Forever!

fin.

Nice one, Darkcloak.

All this B wing is dead and useless talk boils down to the kind of pillow talk I imagine Paul Heaver has. "Yeah, Honey. I just don't think the ole Bezzer can hang at Worlds with all them darn TLTs and what not..."

They are still tough, have solid firepower, and lots of utility with nearly every upgrade slot in the game. I get that in terms of the competitive game the B may very well have had its day in the sun. Personally, I will probably still groan a bit under my breath every time I see more than one in the squad opposite of mine.

Maybe their ubiquity in the competitive scene has bred a kind of contempt because everyone knows them so well. Either way, I think they are still solid, and I look forward to how this kind of ship's paradigm grows as our choices grow as well.